Fbkid's 2008 Draft Rankings: Cornerback

Cornerback is one of the most important positions in the NFL as if you don't have quality corners, teams will pass all over you. That is why it is important to draft well at this position as it could be a key player on your team for years to come.
Here are my top 10 corners in the draft.


1.Mike Jenkins South Florida
2.Leodis McKelvin Troy
3.Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Tennessee State
4.Aquib Talib Kansas
5.Reggie Smith Oklahoma
6.Brandon Flowers Virginia Tech
7.Patrick Lee Auburn
8.Antoine Cason Arizona
9.Justin King Penn State
10.Charles Godfrey Iowa

2008 class grade:A-

Mike Jenkins has good size along with 4.4 speed. He is also very physical and could help in the return game. The only problem is that he isn't great in run support.

Leodis McKelvin has great speed and will make a huge impact in the return game. He has good coverage skills and can score anytime he touches the ball. The only problem is that he didn't play much competiton in college but that didn't matter much for another Troy alum, Demarcus Ware.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was viewed to be a great sleeper pick but after great showings at the Senior Bowl and the combine, he's now a middle first round pick.He is also a great kick returner and could develop into a pro bowl corner just like his cousin Antonio Cromartie on the Chargers.

Aquib Talib has great size and has good intangibles. The only problem is that he doesn't play as fast as timed and isn't that physical.

Reggie Smith is very versatile and can also play safety. He has great size and has good technique but doesn't have the speed to keep up with receivers.

Brandon Flowers is a strong tackler who has good insincts. He also has played big in big games. The only problem is that he doesn't have elite speed.


Patrick Lee has great speed and has good size. He can really help in the return game but is still learning the game.

Antoine Cason was one of the top corners entering the year but has slipped towards the second round. Cason has good instincts but doesn't have the quickness or speed teams look for.


Justin King looked like a sure first rounder early in his career but can still be a very good corner. King has great timed speed and is physical. The only problem is that he doesn't match up well against taller receivers and could be considered a workout warrior.

Charles Godfrey has great speed and is very versatile as he has started at safety and cornerback. Godfrey has the size to match up with tall receivers as well. He could be steal for somebody in the late second early third round.


So overall this class of corners is very strong as as many as six could be drafted by the first round. Many of them should make immediate impacts next year or in the future.

Fbkid's 2008 Draft Rankings: Running Back

One of the deepest positions in this years draft is running back. Around four players at the position could be drafted in the first round.Here are my top 10 running backs in the draft.


1.Darren McFadden Arkansas
2.Rashard Mendenhall Illinois
3.Jonathan Stewart Oregon
4.Felix Jones Arkansas
5.Chris Johnson East Carolina
6.Ray Rice Rutgers
7.Tashard Choice Georgia Tech
8.Kevin Smith Central Florida
9.Matt Forte Tulane
10.Jamaal Charles Texas

2008 class grade:A

Darren McFadden is regarded by many to be the best prospect in the draft. He has great speed and is a physical runner. Character is a concern though.

Rashard Mendenhall could be the most complete back in the draft as he is a good receiver and a physical runner. The only problem is some scouts think that he is a product of the spread offense run at Illinois.

Jonathan Stewart is a power runner who is a physical specimen. The only thing wrong is that he needed toe surgery and could be out for 4 months which could make him fall in the draft. Whoever gets him could be getting a steal.

Felix Jones was very productive at Arkansas but he won't be able to carry the load as he has never had more than 154 carries in a season. He would need a back like McFadden to compliment him.

Chris Johnson is the fastest back in the draft as he ran a 4.24 forty yard dash at the combine. He is a good receiver and should help immediately in the return game.

Ray Rice was a very durable back in college as he never missed a game due to injury. The only problem is that he doesn't have the top end speed teams look for in a featured back.

Tashard Choice is a very hard runner with good size and shows good burst in traffic. He could become a good number two option in the future.

Kevin Smith was very productive at Central Florida and has great vision. The only problem is that he had 450 carries last season and if used early in his career could become overworked like Larry Johnson a few years ago.

Matt Forte had a great senior season and is a good receiver out of the backfield. The only problem is that he runs upright and doesn't have breakaway speed.

Jamaal Charles has top end speed and could help out in the return game right away. He won't be able to carry the load though but could become a solid number two back.


So overall this class of running backs is very deep as many of these players could make an immediate impact in the NFL and could be productive for years to come.

Fbkid's 2008 Draft Rankings: Wide Receiver

This is similar to my last list except for wide receivers. This is one of the most talked about positions in the draft so to see what happens should be interesting. So here are my top 10 receivers in the draft.


1.Malcolm Kelly Oklahoma
2.Limas Sweed Texas
3.DeSean Jackson California
4.Devin Thomas Michigan State
5.James Hardy Indiana
6.Mario Manningham Michigan
7.Early Doucet LSU
8.Earl Bennett Vanderbilt
9.Jerome Simpson Coastal Carolina
10.Dexter Jackson Appalachian State

2008 class grade:B


Malcolm Kelly has everything you want in a receiver as he has great hands along with running good routes. He is also a spectacular red-zone target.

Limas Sweed is a similar player to Kelly and could make an impact right away. The only problem is that he has a history with injuries.

DeSean Jackson isn't the prototypical size teams look for in a receiver but his impact on returns will make him an early pick.

Devin Thomas has great size and is excellent after the catch. He will need to develop though as he was only a one-year starter.

James Hardy is a great red-zone target at 6'6. His only problem is that he needs to put on weight to be even more effective.

Mario Manningham has the potential to be a productive receiver in the NFL. But after a poor showing at the combine his stock has fallen. He is quick though and plays faster than his timed speed would suggest.

Early Doucet is a productive player who could end up being a solid bargin for a team who takes him in the late second early 3rd round.

Earl Bennett ended his college career as one of the top receivers in SEC history. If his stats look poor the last few years it is because the lack of quarterback play after Jay Cutler left.

Jerome Simpson had a great performance at the combine and has great size. He also has great hands he has potential to be a great starter.

Dexter Jackson is one of the fastest receivers in the draft and could also really help in the return game. He could develop into a solid number three receiver.


Many of these players have lots of potential and could be impact players for years to come. The only thing is that receiver is always a deep position and a player with potential like Marques Colston can fall through the cracks all the way to the 7th round.

Why isn't anyone talking about D.J. Hackett?

Most of the big free agents have come and gone but one of the best players is still on the market and nobody is talking about him. In fact he wasn't even one of the top 3 talked about players at his position. That player is Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett.


Hackett is a 6'2 208 pound receiver who has played 4 seasons in the NFL. He was originally drafted by the Seahawks in the 5th round in the 2004 draft. Hackett became one of Matt Hasselbeck's favorite targets in his time in Seattle. Even though Hackett only played 6 games last year, he still managed to have 32 catches for 384 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. For his career, Hackett has 105 career catches for 1394 yards and 9 touchdowns.


Hackett would fit well with many teams that need receiver. The Bucs and Redskins are both very interested in his services and the Bills and Eagles would be good fits. Hackett with his size could also bring a redzone target that teams crave and he should be cheaper than spending a first rounder on a receiver who hasn't proven anything. Plus Hackett is only 26 years old which is younger then receivers such as Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss who commanded big money in the offseason. Hackett should make an immediate impact in any offense the only question is what team wants him the most.

Fbkid's 2008 Draft Rankings: Quarterback

The combine has come and gone and now pro days are almost gone. It's now time to look at the positional rankings for who will be drafted in April. The firs topic is possibly the most important quarterback. Here are my top 10 signal callers in this upcoming draft.


1.Matt Ryan Boston College
2.Brian Brohm Louisville
3.Chad Henne Michigan
4.Joe Flacco Delaware
5.John David Booty USC
6.Josh Johnson San Diego
7.Andre Woodson Kentucky
8.Erik Ainge Tennessee
9.Colt Brennan Hawaii
10.Kevin O'Connell San Diego St

2008 class grade: B-

Summary: Matt Ryan is the only 1st round quarterback in the class as he has everything teams look for in a quarterback.

Brian Brohm coming into the season was projected to be the first quartrback taken but a rough senior season hurt his case.

Chad Henne shined in the Gator Bowl and had a consistent career at Michigan. He also ran a pro-style offense and could become a decent starter.

Joe Flacco is a developmental pick who has a great arm but needs to work on his footwork.

John David Booty has proven himself as a winner and could become a solid backup.

Josh Johnson is very similar to Tarvaris Jackson coming out of college a few years ago. Johnson though ran a pro style offense and no matter who you play a season with 43 touchdowns and only 1 interception is very impressive.

Andre Woodson is the biggest faller of the group as he was projected to be a 1st round pick. A bad senior bowl,pro day and combine now have Woodson wondering if he will be drafted on the first day.

Erik Ainge has the physical skills and could become a solid backup.

Colt Brennan has some positives but really struggled in the Sugar Bowl against the speed Georgia had.

Kevin O'Connell could be a good sleeper pick late and could become a solid backup.


Overall this drafts quarterback class isn't as deep as years past. Although most have these guys could become solid backups and even quality starters.

Marcus Stroud traded to Bills

Marcus Stroud has now gotten his wish. Earlier this week his agent Drew Rosenhaus was told that he was allowed to shop Stroud for a possible trade. That search now has him as a Buffalo Bill. Stroud,an all pro defensive tackle was traded for a 3rd and a 5th round pick. Stroud has had trouble staying healthy but when he is ,he remains a force in the middle. The Jaguars should now replace him with Rob Meir or possibly either Derek Landri who was impressive in the playoffs. This is a good move for both teams as the Bills now don't have to pay first round money to a defensive tackle and the Jaguars do very well at drafting in the later rounds. The only problem for the Jags if they try and address defensive tackle in the draft. Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis, the two best at the position will both be gone in the top ten. Even Kentwan Balmer of North Carolina who I consider the 3rd best defensive tackle could be gone.

Jaguars sign DB Drayton Florence

It is day two in free agency and the Jaguars have made another move signing cornerback Drayton Florence. Florence had played the previous 5 seasons of his career with the Chargers and did well. For his career he has 237 tackles and 10 interceptions. Last year was one of his best as he had 61 tackles to go along with 2 interceptions. Florence will bring versatility to the Jaguars secondary as he can also help out at safety which is a position that the team was looking to address this offseason or through the draft.